The annual North Bergen Halloween parade invaded the Recreation Center with frights and fun on Halloween, Oct. 31. Cool weather did not stop hundreds of kids and parents from attending.

Before the festivities could get underway, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy made a surprise appearance before the crowd, a last minute effort to rally voters before the Nov. 7 general elections.

The North Bergen High School Marching Band led the parade, marching participants around the nearby Lincoln Elementary School and back.

Pony rides, a petting zoo, and a train awaited returning children outside the center. But inside, things were spookier. Illuminated spiders, ghosts, and witches were ready to scare youth brave enough to enter the center's gym.

Mayor Nicholas Sacco, Freeholder Anthony Vainieri, and Commissioners Hugo Cabrera and Julio Marenco handed out gift bags with candy and bouncy balls to the kids. Kids were able to pick pumpkins as well.